Trio robs Hofstra student at gunpoint inside home, cops say

A Hofstra University student was robbed at gunpoint inside his off-campus Uniondale home by three masked men in an apparent targeted attack on Wednesday, May 31, 2017, according to authorities. The robbers knocked on the door and once inside, put masks on. According to Det. Lt. Richard LeBrun, a Nassau police spokesman, they instructed the victim to "give me the stuff." After the victim surrendered a small box, he was struck in the back of the head and under his right eye with a gun, LeBrun said. (Credit: News 12 Long Island)

Once inside, the men headed toward a basement apartment where the student was, put on masks and confronted him, said Det. Lt. Richard LeBrun, a department spokesman. One suspect told the victim, “give me the stuff,” LeBrun said.

Karla Schuster, a university spokeswoman, said in a statement: “The investigation of this incident, which happened off-campus, is being handled by Nassau County Police, and we are cooperating with that investigation.”

At the same house in June 2008, nine people, most of them Hofstra students, were duct-taped during a home invasion by three intruders. After pistol-whipping one student for calling 911, the robbers escaped with cash, cellphones and a 46-inch flat-screen TV, Nassau police said at the time.

Marie Smith, who lives across the street, on Wednesday said raucous parties have been held frequently at the house in the last decade, prompting neighbors to complain to police and university officials.

“Now, it’s getting dangerous,” Smith lamented.

Schuster declined to comment beyond her statement, and the owner of the home could not immediately be reached Wednesday night. Police on Wednesday did not immediately have any information on any complaints about the home.

Investigators ask anyone with information about this case to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 800-244-TIPS. Callers will be kept anonymous.